Latch.



PATENTED JAN. 29, 1907.

J. A. WEBER.

LATCH. 4 APPLIOATION FILED MAY 29, 1906.

rn: mm": Ptftls ca. wuumcrohl', a c? i JOHN A. WEBER, OF PERRYVILLE, MISSOURI.

LATCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 29, 1907.

Application filed May 29,1906 Serial No. 319,384.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. WEBER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Perryville, in the county of Perry and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Latches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in latches for barn and other doors and farm and other gates, the object of the invention being to provide a latch of simple construction which is applicable for use at either the right or left hand side of the door or gate and which is inexpensive of production and so constructed that it cannot be manipulated by horses or other farm stock.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of the latch, showing the bolt in locked position. Fig. 2 is a view of the latch with the faceplate removed and the bolt in retracted position. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the face-plate. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the latch-dog.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the face-plate, which is provided in its rear face with a transverse groove or slot 2 and a vertical slot 3. The groove 2 opens through the sides of the face-plate and the groove 3 through the bottom thereof. The groove 3 also communicates with the groove 2, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. A back plate 5 is secured to the face-plate and forms therewith a guide-casing for the shank of the latch-bolt and a receptacle for the lockingdog, as hereinafter described.

The bolt comprises a flat shank 6, extending transversely through the casing and arranged to fit and slide in the groove or slot 2. This shank is of greater length than the width of the casing and projects at each end beyond the same. The ends of the shank are formed with looking heads or projections 7, adapted to engage a suitable keeper on the door-frame, the provision of a head upon each end of the bolt adapting the same to be used interchangeably at the right or left hand side of the gateway or door-opening The bolt-shank is formed in its upper edge with a central notch or recess 8 to receive'a head 9 of a locking-dog 10. The dog 10 is slidably mounted in the groove or slot 3 and is adapted to drop by gravity into the notch 8 when the head 9 comes into registry with said notch. The lower end of the dog terminates when said dog is in looking position adjacent the bottom of the casing, allowing the finger of the operator to be inserted from below upward into the groove '3 to force the dog out of engagement with the notch in the bolt. Upon releasing the dog the bolt may be shifted in one direction or the other to throw it into and out of engagement with a keeper located on either side of the casing, as will be readily understood.

The face and back plates, which may be securedtogether in any preferred manner, are formed with suitable openings for the passage therethrough of screws or other fastenings to secure the lock to the door, gate, or part to which it is to be applied.

Owing to the fact that the dog is confined within the casing, it will be apparent that it cannot be manipulated by horses or other farm stock, so that the latch may be used with advantage on barn-doors and farmgates.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A latch comprising, a casing, a latch slidable therethrough and provided with locking-heads at its opposite ends, and a dog for locking the latch in either of its projected positions.

2. A latch comprising a casing, a bolt slidable through the casing and provided at each of its ends with a locking-head, and agravitydog in the casing for locking the latch in either of its projected positions.

3. A latch comprising a casing, a bolt slidable transversely therethrough and provided at each of its ends with a locking-head, and a vertically-sliding dog in the casing operative to engage and lock the bolt in either of its projected positions.

4. A latch comprising a casing having a longitudinal and vertical guideway, a bolt slidable in the longitudinal guideway and provided at each of its ends with a lockinghead and between said heads with a notch or recess, and a gravity-dog movable in the 

